A teenage girl took a loaded handgun to South Mountain Middle School in Allentown on Thursday and told classmates she planned to pistol-whip other girls who had been bullying her, students said.

But before she had time to act, students notified school administrators about the gun, which authorities said was found in her locker before Allentown police were brought in to arrest her.

No one was hurt in the incident.

"As soon as the incident was reported to school administration, safety procedures were implemented," the school district said in a statement. "Although this incident did involve a weapon, all students and staff were safe at all times."

The 14-year-old girl let several other students see the gun in a school hallway, one eighth-grader said.

"She showed me it," said the fellow student, also 14. "I asked her, 'Why do you have that?' And she said she was getting bullied and she was going to pistol-whip them. She said it was a group of girls."

CaptionPolice investigate Allentown bank robbery

Police are investigating after the BB&T Bank at 12th and Hamilton streets was robbed by gunman late Wednesday afternoon.

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CaptionPolice investigate Allentown bank robbery

Police are investigating after the BB&T Bank at 12th and Hamilton streets was robbed by gunman late Wednesday afternoon.

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CaptionArraignment hearing for Cheryl Ann Ritter

Cheryl Ann Ritter is charged with stealing more than $15,000 from the Moore twp athletic association

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The classmate said she didn't tell any teacher or administrator about the gun because "I was scared," but other students who saw it apparently did report it.

Other South Mountain students waiting for rides home from the school at 709 Emmaus Ave. on Thursday afternoon corroborated the classmate's account.

The students said that once teachers were notified of the gun threat, teachers went up and down the halls to check if the girl might have an armed accomplice. None was found.

The school was locked down about 10 minutes at the end of the school day while police and teachers made one last search of the halls, the students said. A staff member said there was no lockdown.

The students said they do not believe bullying is a major problem at their school.

The girl was taken into custody and is being charged with possession of a weapon on school property and other weapons violations, police Assistant Chief Gail Struss said.

"Students did the right thing and told administration," she said.

Struss said she did not know why the girl took the gun to school or if she made threats. She said the incident happened about 11 a.m.

After the Allentown School Board meeting Thursday night, interim Superintendent Gary R. Cooper said the incident is under investigation by the police and the district isn't at liberty to discuss details.

Cooper said he didn't hear anything about bullying. He said the gun was reported to a guidance counselor who told the principal, and school officials discovered it in the girl's locker.